Aberdeen school district plan submissions up for approval

June 16, 2007|By Russ Keen, American News Writer

The Aberdeen school district is submitting a proposal to receive some of the $4 million in the Teacher Compensation Assistance Program, known as TCAP, approved by the 2007 Legislature. Here's a look at what it all means. Q.: What is TCAP? A.: The program specifies that the money be used to meet a district's instructional goals or deal with local market issues such as finding teachers for hard-to-fill positions such as math or music instruction. Districts must submit plans as to how they will use the money, and the state decides whether to approve the plans. Districts cannot use the funds to give across-the-board raises to all teachers without an approved plan. Q.: How much money does Aberdeen seek? A.: The district's proposal has a budget of $156,965. Eighty percent would come from the state and 20 percent from the local district. Q.: How would Aberdeen use the money? A.: More than half of it ($92,471.04) would be used mainly to pay teachers for what's called extended school day instruction for only students referred to the program because they are not proficient in math or reading. This could mean before- or after-school tutoring, school on Saturday or more summer school, said Becky Guffin, the district's director of educational services. In whatever form it takes, the extended school day would involve elementary, middle and high school students, but most of the money ($50,256) is earmarked for grade-school instruction. Each school would decide how to implement extended school day. Q.: How would the rest of the $156,965 be used? A.: Most of the rest would be used to pay elementary teachers to take additional training in the district's math and reading curricula for grade schools. The proposal also calls for more training of teachers on how to teach kids the Boys Town model of behavior. And some money would be used to pay educators to develop plans for improving math and reading proficiency in individual schools and districtwide. See the graphic for a comprehensive list. Q.: When will the state act on Aberdeen's proposal? A.: A decision is expected in July. If approved, the district would start implementing the plan in the fall, Guffin said. Q.: Will all Aberdeen public school teachers benefit financially if the state approves the local plan? A.: Probably not, Guffin said. Earlier this year, some Aberdeen school board members had reservations about participating in a teacher compensation program that would benefit only some teachers. However, school board President Duane has also said that local taxpayers would expect the district to apply for its share of the $4 million. Districts are not required to participate in the TCAP program. - Compiled by Reporter Russ Keen Saturday, June 16, 2007 Questions or Comments? Call (605) 225-4100 or 1-800-925-4100. Obituaries 2 For the Record 2 Entertainment 4 Church 5